Quick overview of Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard®
The Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard® is a great, no frills travel credit card with insurance benefits. We've thoroughly reviewed this Capital One credit card, so you can see if it fits your lifestyle.
Who's this Capital One travel credit card for?
Travellers who want the simplicity of earning a flat rate of travel rewards on all their purchases, want to book their arrangements wherever they like, and dislike annual fees are well-suited to the Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard®. Those who appreciate flexibility will also enjoy the opportunity to spend their miles on cash back and gift cards as well.
Pros and cons
Pros
-
Earn 1 mile per $1 with no purchase ambiguity
-
Flexible miles for retroactive travel purchases
-
$0 annual fee
-
Price protection for marked-down items
-
Basic travel insurance coverage
-
Redeem miles for gift cards and cash back
Cons
-
Basic travel insurance compared to some competitors
-
$100/item limit on price protection
-
Limited features for high-end travel benefits
-
No specific travel perks or elite status
-
May not suit high-spenders seeking premium rewards
How to earn rewards with Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard®
Rewards miles come at a steady and unrestricted rate of 1 Reward mile for every $1 spent. With no ambiguous purchase eligibility, cardholders can be confident that they’re earning rewards miles every time they use their card. The miles themselves are some of the most flexible travel rewards we’ve seen, and can be used retroactively to cover travel-related purchases that show up on a monthly statement. Travel can therefore be booked everywhere, and cardholders won’t be limited by in-house booking sites, seating restrictions, or blackout dates.
How to redeem rewards with Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard®
The miles themselves are some of the most flexible travel rewards we’ve seen, and can be used retroactively to cover travel-related purchases that show up on a monthly statement. Travel can therefore be booked everywhere, and cardholders won’t be limited by in-house booking sites, seating restrictions, or blackout dates. can also be redeemed in other ways, like gift cards and cash back against the card’s statement. For more information on the nuances of Capital One miles, check out our Loyalty Rewards Bible.
Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard® insurance coverage
1. Purchase protection: Purchases charged to your card are protected for 90 days incase of loss or accidental damages.
2. Extended warranty: This policy automatically extends original manufacturer warranties by up to 1 year.
3. Common carrier travel accident insurance: This coverage offers $250,000 in coverage in case of accidental loss of life or dismemberment while traveling on a common carrier.
4. Car rental collision/loss damage waiver: This coverage allows you to waive the insurance policy of the car rental company and provides coverage for up to 31 days, with a maximum of $75,000.
Feature breakdown
- Earn 1 Reward mile for every $1 spent on purchases
- $0 annual fee
- Book your own travel, pay with rewards miles
- Price protection services
- Solid array of insurance benefits
The peripheral benefits of the Aspire Travel Platinum card include Price Protection and insurance perks, both of which help cardholders save money. The Aspire Travel card comes with basic travel insurance as well, though the key word here is ‘basic’: it’s missing some of the more valuable travel coverage that is provided by some competing travel cards. Capital One® provides coverage for common carrier travel accidents, car rental collisions and damage, baggage delay, and travel assistance. While it’s logical that a no-fee card would only have the most basic insurance options, some other no-fee travel cards have managed to raise the bar a bit.
Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard® compared
Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard® vs. The Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
The Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard® is a great option for travellers who are looking for more insurance coverage and cash back rewards. Here's how this card compares:
Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard®
4.2
Excellent
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Pros
-
Lucrative cash back rates on USD and CAD purchases, especially for Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers
-
No annual fee with valuable insurance benefits
-
Competitive against foreign transaction fee cards
-
Convenient cash back redemption options
-
Redemption bonus of 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
-
Travel insurance perks and airport lounge access
Cons
-
High income requirement: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
-
Foreign transaction fee applies
-
Limited redemption options for statement credits
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
3%
Earn 3% unlimited cash back on purchases made in US dollars
2%
Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-US dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw
1.5%
Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on everything else
1.5x Cash Back
Get 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
Earn 3% unlimited cash back on purchases made in US dollars
3%
Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-US dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw
2%
Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on everything else
1.5%
Get 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
1.5x Cash Back
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee No annual fee
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
Lucrative cash back rates on USD and CAD purchases, especially for Rogers, Fido or Shaw customers
-
No annual fee with valuable insurance benefits
-
Competitive against foreign transaction fee cards
-
Convenient cash back redemption options
-
Redemption bonus of 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
-
Travel insurance perks and airport lounge access
Cons
-
High income requirement: $80,000 personal or $150,000 household
-
Foreign transaction fee applies
-
Limited redemption options for statement credits
Eligibility
Excellent
Recommended Credit Score
$80,000
Required Annual Personal Income
$150,000
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Excellent
Required Annual Personal Income
$80,000
Required Annual Household Income
$150,000
3%
Earn 3% unlimited cash back on purchases made in US dollars
2%
Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-US dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw
1.5%
Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on everything else
1.5x Cash Back
Get 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
Earn 3% unlimited cash back on purchases made in US dollars
3%
Earn 2% unlimited cash back on all eligible non-US dollar purchases if you have 1 qualifying service with Rogers, Fido or Shaw
2%
Earn 1.5% unlimited cash back on everything else
1.5%
Get 1.5x more cash back every time you redeem for Rogers, Fido or Shaw purchases
1.5x Cash Back
20.99%
Purchase APR
22.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee No annual fee
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee 2.5% of the transaction in CDN
Purchase APR
20.99%
Balance Transfer Rate
22.99%
Cash Advance APR
22.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard® vs. American Express® Green Card
The American Express® Green Card is a great no annual fee credit card that comes with a nice welcome bonus and flexible rewards redemption. You can transfer your rewards points to Amex travel partners like Aeroplan or Flying Blue. But when it comes to insurance coverage, the benefits are not as comprehensive as the Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard®. Here are more details on the Amex Green card.
American Express® Green Card
3.7
earn 10,000 pts
Welcome offerGood
Suggested credit scoreEarn a Welcome Bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards® points – that’s $100 in value
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
No income requirements (unlike many other no-fee cards)
-
Welcome bonus up to 10,000 points (a $100 value)
-
American Express® Experiences
Cons
-
The card only offers basic extended warranty and purchase protection insurance. No travel insurance or rental car coverage
-
Some places might not accept American Express®. However, most major retailers do (more small businesses are starting to as well)
-
Fewer perks: No specific benefits for travel or dining and no accelerated earning rates on grocery
-
Lower earn rates: The reward earn rates are lower than some other no-fee credit cards
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
1x
the points on Card purchases
1
additional Membership Rewards® point for every $1 you charge to your American Express® Green Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
the points on Card purchases
1x
additional Membership Rewards® point for every $1 you charge to your American Express® Green Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
1
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee No annual fee
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
No income requirements (unlike many other no-fee cards)
-
Welcome bonus up to 10,000 points (a $100 value)
-
American Express® Experiences
Cons
-
The card only offers basic extended warranty and purchase protection insurance. No travel insurance or rental car coverage
-
Some places might not accept American Express®. However, most major retailers do (more small businesses are starting to as well)
-
Fewer perks: No specific benefits for travel or dining and no accelerated earning rates on grocery
-
Lower earn rates: The reward earn rates are lower than some other no-fee credit cards
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$0
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$0
Required Annual Household Income
$0
1x
the points on Card purchases
1
additional Membership Rewards® point for every $1 you charge to your American Express® Green Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
the points on Card purchases
1x
additional Membership Rewards® point for every $1 you charge to your American Express® Green Card on eligible hotel or car rental bookings made with American Express Travel
1
21.99%
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
$0
Annual Fee No annual fee
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Purchase APR
21.99%
Cash Advance APR
21.99%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Contact American Express for the most up-to-date referral bonus figures. American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information, click the Apply Now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard® vs. Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
The Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a great no annual fee card with cash back rewards and low minimum income requirements. Let's see how it compares with the Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard®.
| Card | Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard® | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Benefits | 1 Reward mile for every $1 spent |
Earn 2% cash back on two categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a third 2% cash back category. |
| Insurance | Purchase protection, Extended warranty, Common carrier accident insurance, baggage delay insurance, Car rental and collision insurance | Purchase assurance, Extended warranty |
| Read review | You are reading it. | Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card review |
| Apply Now | Apply Now | Apply Now |
Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card
4.0
Good
Suggested credit scoreto receive the latest news, tips and offers by email
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2%
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5%
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Choose the spending categories where you want to earn the most cash back
-
Unlimited cash back—no maximum spending limit for any purchase category
-
Cash back is paid out monthly rather than annually
-
Periodically includes a special welcome offer where you can get extra cash back
-
1.95% interest on balance transfers for the first 6 months (1% transfer fee applies)*
Cons
-
Regular cash back rates are still lower than what you can get from a card with an annual fee
-
Limited extra perks or benefits beyond the cash back and balance transfer promotion
-
Generally not a good fit for shopping at warehouse clubs or wholesale grocers like Costco or Walmart
-
Tangerine does not have any physical bank branches
Eligibility
Good
Recommended Credit Score
$12,000
Required Annual Personal Income
Recommended Credit Score
Good
Required Annual Personal Income
$12,000
2%
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
3
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
0.5%
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
Earn 2% cash back on 2 categories of your choice (e.g. groceries, recurring bills, gas, drug stores, etc.)
2%
Get a Tangerine Savings account and add a 3rd 2% cash back category.
3
Earn 0.50% on all your other everyday purchases.
0.5%
19.95% - 24.95%
Variable APR
1.95%
Balance Transfer Rate 19.95%
19.95%
Cash Advance APR $3.50 within Canada, $5.00 outside Canada
$0
Annual Fee $0 for additional cardholders
2.5%
Foreign Transaction Fee
Variable APR
19.95% - 24.95%
Balance Transfer Rate
1.95%
Cash Advance APR
19.95%
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
2.5%
If you're looking for more flexible rewards redemption, the Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is a great option, but it does have very low insurance benefits. So, the ultimate choice depends on your lifestyle needs.
Is this Capital One travel credit card worth it?
If you're looking for a travel rewards credit card with low eligibility requirements and insurance benefits, the Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard® is definitely worth considering.
Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard® eligibility
To be eligible for the Capital One Aspire Travel® Platinum Mastercard®, you need to have a Fair credit score.
Lubna Umar has worked in the field of personal finance for over 5 years. She has produced a wide variety of content including personal finance guides and insurance reports for brands like RATESDOTCA and the Financial Post. In her free time, she can be found writing fiction or exploring the café culture in Toronto or any other major city.
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